Punch-Out is an arcade and video game series created by Nintendo. The very first game was an arcade released in 1983. The Punch-Out boxing games and characters are considered one of the best creations ever by Nintendo. Specifically, the Mike Tyson version for Nintendo Entertainment System reached legendary status amongst gamers and even in pop culture.
Every game revolves around a boxer named Little Mac and his quest to box his way through the circuits to reach the top of the boxing world. He is coached by Doc Louis and there is clearly a Rocky-inspired theme throughout the series of games. Here is every Punch-Out game in order of release.
Punch-Out Arcade
- Date Released: 1984
- Developer: Nintendo
- System: Arcade
The original Punch-Out was first released as an arcade console way back in 1984. It featured a green wire-framed boxer who made his way through opponents. Although never named in the Arcade version most assume now that the boxer you controlled was in fact, Little Mac. The game was a success and very popular in Arcade Parlours throughout North America.
Punch-Out Arcade Boxers
- Glass Joe
- Piston Hurricane
- Bald Bull
- Kid Quick
- Pizza Pasta
- Mr. Sandman
Super Punch-Out Arcade
- Date Released: June 1984
- Developer: Nintendo IRD
- System: Arcade
After the success of the original Punch-Out, Nintendo released Super PunchOut in the fall of 1984. This version was almost identical to the first arcade but did introduce new characters into the fold that will be forever remembered. This was the last arcade version before hitting the console systems.
Super Punch-Out Arcade Boxers
All characters in Super Punch-Out are brand new and no boxers from the original arcade version appeared.
- Bear Hugger
- Dragon Chan
- Vodka Drunkenski
- Great Tiger
- Super Macho Man
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out
- Date Released: October 1987
- Developer: Nintendo IRD
- System: NES (Nintendo)
The most popular and arguably best Punch-Out game was the Mike Tyson version on the NES. To this day it is considered one of the best video games ever made. This was the “official” introduction to Little Mac, the main character of the video game series. It also marked the first and only appearance of Mike Tyson who was the final fight in the game. Rumour was a sequel featuring Iron Mike was to be made but contract and legal troubles ended that dream.
Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out Boxers
- Glass Joe
- Von Kaiser (New Character)
- Piston Honda (New Character)
- Don Flamenco (New Character)
- King Hippo (New Character)
- Great Tiger
- Bald Bull
- Soda Popinski (Formerly Vodka Drunkenski)
- Mr. Sandman
- Super Macho Man
- Mike Tyson
Full Mike Tyson Punch-Out Character Breakdown
Punch-Out Featuring Mr. Dream
- Date Released: August 1990
- Developer: Nintendo IRD
- System: NES (Nintendo)
This game is a weird one as it is the lesser-known version out of all the games. It is basically a rebirth of the Mike Tyson version but with Mr. Dream as the headliner fight. There are many rumors as to why this version was made but ultimately it seems Tyson’s contract had expired and Nintendo had no interest in re-negotiating.
Punch-Out Mr. Dream Boxers
Glass Joe
Von Kaiser (New Character)
Piston Honda (New Character)
Don Flamenco (New Character)
King Hippo (New Character)
Great Tiger
Bald Bull
Soda Popinski (Formerly Vodka Drunkenski)
Mr. Sandman
Super Macho Man
Mr. Dream
Super Punch-Out
- Date Released: October 1994
- Developer: Nintendo IRD
- System: Super Nintendo
After 7 long years since the Mike Tyson version, Nintendo finally released another title of the Punch-Out video game. Super PunchOut made its debut on the Super Nintendo system in 1994 and overall it was a decent game and mostly well-received by gamers. Nintendo introduced 10 new characters in this game but none of them really hold up to the originals.
Super Punch-Out Boxers
- Gabby Jay (New Character)
- Bear Hugger
- Piston Hurricane (Formerly Piston Honda)
- Bald Bull
- Bob Charlie (New Character)
- Dragon Chan
- Masked Muscle (New Character)
- Mr. Sandman
- Aran Ryan (New Character)
- Heike Kagero (New Character)
- Mad Clown (New Character)
- Super Macho Man
- Narcis Prince (New Character)
- Hoy Quarlow (New Character)
- Rick Bruiser (New Character)
- Nick Bruiser (New Character)
Full Super Punch-Out Character Breakdown
Wii Punch-Out!!
- Date Released: May 2009
- Developer: Next Level Games
- System: Wii
The final Punch-Out to date was released in 2009 on the Wii. Arguably, this release is the best since the NES Mike Tyson version and some consider it the best ever. The graphics and animation were second to none and really brought all the boxers to life. The Wii version was a homage to the original NES title and brought back most of the characters from that era. The game was a big hit and well-reviewed by most critics and fans.
Wii Punch-Out Boxers
- Glass Joe
- Von Kaiser
- Disco Kid (New Character)
- King Hippo
- Piston Hondo (Formerly Piston Hurricane)
- Great Tiger
- Don Flamenco
- Aran Ryan
- Soda Popinski
- Bald Bull
- Super Macho Man
- Mr. Sandman
- Donkey Kong (New Character)
Full Wii Punch-Out Character Breakdown
Total Character Appearances
Here is the full list of characters (boxers) in every Punch-Out release along with the number of times they have appeared overall. A few boxers have had name changes over the years but the character remained the same so we will not separate them into two different characters. The list is in order of most to least appearances.
- Super Macho Man (5)
- Mr. Sandman (5)
- Piston Hurricane (5)
- Bald Bull (5)
- Soda Popinski (4)
- Great Tiger (4)
- Von Kaiser (3)
- King Hippo (3)
- Glass Joe (3)
- Don Flamenco (3)
- Dragon Chan (2)
- Bear Hugger (2)
- Aran Ryan (2)
- Rick Bruiser (1)
- Nick Bruiser (1)
- Pizza Pasta (1)
- Narcis Prince (1)
- Mr. Dream (1)
- Mike Tyson (1)
- Masked Muscle (1)
- Mad Clown (1)
- Kid Quick (1)
- Hoy Quarlow (1)
- Heike Kagero (1)
- Gabby Jay (1)
- Disco Kid (1)
- Bob Charlie (1)
- Donkey Kong (1)
